UTMB Summer Institute in Biostatistics and Data Science

The objective of the UTMB Summer Institute in Biostatistics and Data Science (SIBDS) is to provide biostatistical research education and applied research opportunities to undergraduates. The SIBDS is sponsored by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), grant R25HL161715.

The SIBDS is a seven-week program from June 6th through July 25th, 2026. The structure of the program is through case based instruction of real biomedical research, computer laboratory training, research projects, and clinical and translational research enrichment activities.

Program Information

Program Requirements and Support

Rising junior and senior undergraduates who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible to apply for the UTMB SIBDS. Priority admission will be given to disadvantaged students and to students from small liberal arts colleges which do not offer substantial coursework in statistics or biostatistics. Undergraduate students currently enrolled in a biological science major with a mathematics focus (e.g. mathematical biology, biochemistry) or a quantitative or computational based major (e.g. business, physics, chemistry, mathematics, computer science, bioengineering, statistics, or data science) are eligible to apply. We will review each situation on a case by case basis as well. We seek students that have an interest in biomedical issues.

Minimum GPA of 3.0 (out of 4.0)

College graduates who have not started a graduate program are eligible to apply.

Anticipated enrollment for the 2026 SIBDS program is 20 students. 

  • Support

    2026 Support Details

    Support packages for SIBDS participants, funded by NHLBI/NIAID, include:

    • $3,160 stipend
    • Travel reimbursement (up to $800 per scholar)
    • Housing
  • Interaction with Faculty and Graduate Students

    Participants have the opportunity to learn from a diverse group of stellar faculty at the University of Texas Medical Branch through available lectures and interaction with research project leaders. Graduate student research assistants also provide guidance with the projects.

  • Distinct From Other Summer Programs

    There are numerous other summer programs in STEM fields available for undergraduates. The Summer Institute for Biostatistics and Data Science is quite unique. Our scholars will gain hands-on research experience in the intersection of big data, biostatistics, and human health.

    This is a federally funded educational program

SIBDS Faculty

Biostatistics Faculty Mentors

Portrait of Jiefei Wang, PhD
Phone: (409) 772-2515
Fax: (409) 772-5272
Physical Address:
UHC, Suite 4.538
1005 Harborside Drive
Galveston, TX
Mailing Address:
301 University Boulevard
Galveston, TX 77555-1150

Jiefei Wang, PhD

Assistant Professor
Department of Biostatistics & Data Science

About Me

 

Dr. Jiefei Wang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biostatistics & Data Science at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). He specializes in biostatistics with a focus on the development of novel statistical methods and translational research. His research interests include high-dimensional data analysis, Machine learning algorithms, and Natural language processing. Dr. Wang is actively involved in providing statistical support services to UTMB faculty, staff, and students, and he teaches graduate-level biostatistics courses.

Dr. Wang earned his Ph.D. and M.A. in Biostatistics from the University at Buffalo, SUNY, and a B.A. in Mathematics and Applied Mathematics from Shenzhen University, Guangdong, China. His professional experience includes working with the Bioconductor Core Team at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, where he developed R packages for high-performance computing and software for scalable cloud storage and computing.

Dr. Wang’s research has led to significant contributions in statistical methodology and its applications in biomedical research. He has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and presented his work at national and international conferences. He is also involved in various grant-funded projects, including those supported by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas.

Affiliations

  • Bioconductor Community Advisory Board


Education

  • PhD, Biostatistics, University at Buffalo, 2022
  • MA, Biostatistics, University at Buffalo, 2018
  • BA, Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, Shenzhen University, 2015

Research

Areas of Interest

  • Natural Language Processing
  • Machine Learning

Publications

Phone: (409) 772-2515
Fax: (409) 772-5272
Physical Address:
UHC, Suite 4.538
1005 Harborside Drive
Galveston, TX
Mailing Address:
301 University Boulevard
Galveston, TX 77555-1150

General Requests: (409) 772-1128
Applicants: (409) 266-8457